Massachusetts landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits may owe up to 3× the deposit amount. Learn your rights under G.L. c. 186 §15B.
Analyze My Massachusetts Claim (Free)Law verified March 11, 2026
Find out if your Massachusetts landlord may owe you. free, 2 minutes
Check My DepositIf your Massachusetts landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you may be entitled to recover up to 3 times the amount wrongfully kept under G.L. c. 186 §15B(7). This is on top of recovering the deposit itself. The multiplier is the penalty for the violation. Triple damages, 5 percent interest, costs, and attorney fees for violations covered by ?15B(7).
No intent required. Miss the 30-day deadline and the 3x cap can apply under G.L. c. 186 §15B(7). Your landlord cannot avoid it by claiming forgetfulness or confusion.
Penalty
If your Massachusetts landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you may be entitled to recover up to 3 times the amount wrongfully kept under G.L. c. 186 §15B(7). This is on top of recovering the deposit itself. The multiplier is the penalty for the violation. Triple damages, 5 percent interest, costs, and attorney fees for violations covered by ?15B(7).
No intent required. Miss the 30-day deadline and the 3x cap can apply under G.L. c. 186 §15B(7). Your landlord cannot avoid it by claiming forgetfulness or confusion.
Example
G.L. c. 186 §15B(7)
To recover penalties under G.L. c. 186 §15B(7), you generally need to: document the move-out date and the missed deadline, send a written demand letter citing the statute, and, if necessary, file in Massachusetts small claims court (up to $7,000).
A demand letter that specifically cites G.L. c. 186 §15B(7) and calculates the potential Up to 3x your deposit often prompts landlords to settle without going to court.
Questions
Your Massachusetts landlord has 30 days after your move-out date to return your security deposit along with an itemized statement of any deductions. This deadline is set by G.L. c. 186 §15B.
If your landlord misses the 30-day deadline, you may be entitled to up to 3× the amount wrongfully withheld under G.L. c. 186 §15B(7). This penalty applies automatically. You don't need to prove intent.
No. Massachusetts law under G.L. c. 186 §15B explicitly prohibits landlords from deducting for normal wear and tear. This includes faded paint, minor scuffs, small nail holes, and carpet thinning from regular use. Deductions must be for actual damage beyond what normal living causes.
Under G.L. c. 186 §15B(7), you may recover up to 3x the deposit amount wrongfully withheld. This is automatic. No need to prove intent.
No. The penalty under G.L. c. 186 §15B(7) applies automatically when the 30-day deadline is missed. Intent is not required.
More Massachusetts Topics
Free analysis | Massachusetts law | 2 minutes
Check My Massachusetts Deposit (Free)